Crisis In Ondo NLC As New Faction Emerges

No fewer than two persons are currently laying claim to the chairmanship position of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The two claimants are Comrade Victor Amoko and Comrade Olapade Ademola.

LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation revealed that a faction of the NLC led by its vice chairperson, Comrade Busola Adewumi, held a special meeting of the NLC State Executive Council (SEC)  where Comrade Ademola was elected on Thursday.

The Thursday meeting and election our correspondent learnt, was held because Comrade Amoko was said to have retired from service and no fewer than 22 affiliate unions attended the special meeting SEC in the state.

But Amoko, who spoke to journalists, disclosed that he remained the Ondo NLC chairman because he was still in active service.

Amoko who further explained that the state government had approved extension of service for teachers in the state, noted that some leaders in the NLC insisted that they would not allow him to be their Chairman while in extended service.

He said, “I am not retired. In Ondo, the governor granted an elongation of service of which I am a beneficiary. They said they will not allow me to use the elongation as NLC chairman.

“I still pay my dues during this time and it is payment of dues that makes me an NLC member. They wrote to the NLC national body on my issue but no reply. I am still the chairman. I have not received a letter to tell me I have been replaced. I know the government still recognised me as the NLC chairman.”

Meanwhile, other affiliate unions such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) which boycotted the meeting where Ademola was elected have declared the election as null and void.

The unions said Amoko remained the Ondo NLC chairman as spelt out in the body’s constitution.